Alligator helps authorities catch car thief in Florida

Alligator helps authorities catch car thief in Florida

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WPTV) — An alleged car theft suspect has been arrested on the Treasure Coast. Port St. Lucie police say Calvin Rodriguez was targeting certain makes and model vehicles and that Rodriguez was finally captured thanks, in part, to an alligator.

Investigators say Rodriguez is responsible for stealing at least five cars that were parked in the lots of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Publix and Winn Dixie. Rodriguez was said to be using ‘shaved keys’ that would open the doors and start the engines of Honda and Acura vehicles.

Police finally spotted Rodriguez in a Honda Civic. They say he sped off but was stopped in his tracks when the stolen car collided with an alligator.

“It’s pretty unimaginable that police officers would be at that point in time looking for these suspects and that an alligator unfortunately just happens to cross the road and assist us in catching these criminals,” said Det. Keith Boham.